How much does a Physical Therapist make?

The average salary for a Physical Therapist is $90,220 per year in United States. Salaries estimates are based on 78644 salaries submitted anonymously to Glassdoor by a Physical Therapist employees in United States.

The highest salary for a Physical Therapist in United States is $106,585 per year.

The lowest salary for a Physical Therapist in United States is $76,935 per year.

If you are thinking of becoming a Physical Therapist or planning the next step in your career, find details about the role, the career path and salary trajectory of a Physical Therapist.

Physical therapists earn professional salaries similar to the salaries of audiologists, chiropractors or occupational therapists. They earn higher pay than physical therapy assistants and physical therapy aides, whom they manage. Due to the rise in demand for their services, physical therapist salaries are expected to increase within the next decade. Physical therapists employed by skilled nursing care facilities and hospitals generally earn more than physical therapists employed by the government.

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According to anonymous ratings on Glassdoor, about 70% of physical therapists are satisfied with their incomes. With an advanced degree, years of work experience, and an extra $8,945.74 of additional pay, a physical therapist's compensation can qualify as a good salary.

If you're following the average career path of a physical therapist, you can earn a total pay between $66,763.47 and $123,631.78, depending on your level of experience. After working as a physical therapist for a few years and gaining more experience, it's possible to be promoted to a senior position, which often comes with a higher total pay.

Whether you're hoping to earn more money from your current career as a physical therapist or just looking to apply for a higher paying job, consider what you have to offer. What skills and qualifications do you possess that make you stand out from other physical therapists? The best way to qualify for a better income is to upgrade your qualifications.

You can consider earning an advanced degree or specialize in a specific area of physiotherapy, such as neurology, geriatrics, or sports therapy. Once you have enough experience, you should consider obtaining your specialist certification from a recognized authority, such as the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialities.

If you want to negotiate a good salary for your new job as physical therapist, use your in-demand skills and certifications as a bargaining tool. The more qualified you are, the better your salary should be.

If you need a salary increase in your current job, you should be able to support your request. Some good reasons to ask for a raise include: your responsibilities have increased, you've been promoted, you found out you're being underpaid, or you've had a job offer from another company.

The standard annual salary increase is 3% to 5%, but don't be afraid to ask for more (10% to 20%) to get negotiations going.